Atletico de Kolkata vs Chennaiyin FC Indian Super League 2015 Semis Highlights: Chennai Hang on to Claim Final Spot
Chennaiyin FC are through to the Indian Super League 2015 final after a 4-2 aggregate win over Atletico de Kolkata. Kolkata won 2-1 on the night but it wasn't enough as the defending champions crash out of the tournament. Chennai will now play FC Goa on December 20 for the 2015 ISL crown in Fatorda. Relive all the higlights here.
Atletico de Kolkata gave it their all in the match but Chennaiyin FC goalkeeper Apoula Edel was in the form of his life keeping the home team at bay after Dejan Lekic had opened the scoring. Iain Hume doubled Kolkata's lead but Chennaiyin's Fikru scored in the dying minutes to seal a spot for his team in the final of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2015. Catch all the higlights here. (NEWS|VIDEOS)
20:55 hrs IST: Fulltime whistle blows!! Chennaiyin hang on to reach the final of the Indian Super League 2015. So its Chennaiyin FC vs FC Goa in the final showdown in Fatorda.
20:50 hrs IST:Â GOAL!! Chennaiyin Score! A disastrous throw in from Kolkata gives Fikru the chance to go around Kolkata goalie Amrinder. Game set match Chennai!!
20:48 hrs IST: Crossbar to the rescue!! Kolkata forward Iain Hume's glancing header hits the crossbar. Five minutes added time. Can Chennaiyin hold on?
20:45 hrs IST: GOAL!! 2-0 to Kolkata! Iain Hume with a thunderous volley doubles Kolkata lead. In for a thrilling finale at the Salt Lake Stadium. The hosts need one more goal to take the game to extra-time.
20:41 hrs IST: Jeje was though on goal but his first touch let him down.
20:36 hrs IST: Ian Hume's stinging left-footer is straight at Apoula. This was Kolkata's 20th shot at goal in this game.
20:30 hrs IST: What an interception from Mendy! Doutie's cross almost made its way to Lekic at the far post but the Chennaiyin defender came in the way.
20:26 hrs IST: Chennaiyin didn't concede a goal in their four previous games but their back-four look to be in complete panic in this game.
20:23 hrs IST: Another chance for Kolkata! But Arata's shot from close range is blocked by Chennai defender. Chennaiyin are coming under tremendous pressure. They need to weather the storm!
20:20 hrs IST: Miss from Chennai! It's Mendoza this time. Uncharacteristically the Colombian forward smashes his volley from 3 yards out over the post. That was a golden chance for Chennaiyin.
20:18 hrs IST: Big Chance for Kolkata!! What a save from Apoula again. He has been a rock so far. Lekic's point blank header brings the best out of Cameroonian again.
20:13 hrs IST: Booking for Chennai's Thoi Singh and Kolkata's Moharaj. Tempers are flaring at the Salt Lake. Both teams need to keep their cool and avoid a red card.
20:09 hrs IST:Â Chance for Kolkata! Anto's volleyed effort goes wide. Anto found himself in acres of space but his shot is way off target.
20:06 hrs IST: That could have been another disaster from Mendy but Chennaiyin survive. Seems to be a bit of panic in Chennai's defence!
20:05 hrs IST: Second half starts!!
19:45 hrs IST: Halftime at Salt Lake Stadium! Kolkata lead 1-0 but still trail 3-1 on aggregate. They have had a few chances but Chennaiyin goalie Apoula has kept them at bay. Chennaiyin need to be more enterprising. They have sat back and protected their lead but need to attack more or are in danger of being overrun.
19:41 hrs IST: And again!! It's Apoula vs Kolkata right now. Doutie's angled shot is brilliantly saved by the Chennaiyin goalie. What a one-handed save!!
19:38 hrs IST: Chennayin goalkeeper Apoula is having the match of his life. Besides the Lekic goal, he has been brilliant. Kolkata could have been two even three up if not for him.
19:35 hrs IST: Dead-ball specialist Elano finds the side-netting with his free-kick. That was close!
19:25 hrs IST: Great predatory instincts from Lekic for the goal. Yes, it was a blunder from Mendy but the ball still needed to be put into the back of the net and Lekic did just that. Chennai need to stay calm and keep their cool. Kolkata still need two goals for the game to go into extra-time.
19:23 hrs IST: What is happening here? Kolkata could have easily doubled their lead within seconds but Apoula is there to rescue his team again.
19:22 hrs IST: Goal!! What a disastrous header back to his goalie from Mendy. Lekic was there to pounce on the mistake. 1-0 to Kolkata!
19:14 hrs IST: Goal-saving tackle from Mendy! Ian Hume was one on one with the Chennai defender but failed to get past him.
19:10 hrs IST: Shot on Target! Brilliant left-footed shot from Mendoza from range brings out the best from Kolkata goalkeeper Amrinder.
19:07 hrs IST: Corner Chennai! Jeje's snapshot takes a deflection and gives his side the first corner of the match. The resulting corner is headed over the bar by Mailson.
19:05 hrs IST: Kolkata have made a bright start stringing a few passes together. Lekic's thunderous shot from far out is close but fails to trouble Chennaiyin goalie
19:03 hrs IST: Close!! Ian Hume almost reached an aerial pass over Chennaiyin FC defence but Apoula Edel is their to calmly collect.
18:57 hrs IST: The first semifinal second leg between FC Goa and Delhi Dynamos FC in Goa started at break-neck speed. Let's see if this match will start in similar fashion.
18:55 hrs IST: The two teams walk out to a massive cheer at the Salt Lake. The expectation and tenseness is palpable on the faces of Kolkata fans.
Chennaiyin FC XI
Edel Apoula (GK), Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Mailson, Bernard Mendy, Dhana, Thoi Singh, Harmanjot Khabra, Manuele Blasi, Elano (C), Jeje, John Stiven Mendoza Valencia.
Atletico de Kolkata XI
Amrinder (GK), Arnab (C), Tiri, Augustin Fernandes, Rino Anto, Jaime Gavilan, Arata Izumi, Mohan, Sameehg Doutie, Dejan Lekic, Iain Hume.
18:40 hrs IST: A warm welcome for the second leg of the second Indian Super League semi-final between Chennaiyin FC and defending champions Atletico de Kolkata at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Some team news coming in.
Bruno Pelissari, India international Jeje Lalpekhlua and goal-machine Stiven Mendoza were on target in the first leg as Chennaiyin outplayed their opponents in all aspects of the game.
Chennaiyin will still be wary of an Atletico backlash, especially after the way FC Goa came from behind against Delhi Dynamos to become the first team to storm into Sunday's final at Nehru Stadium Fatorda (Margao).
Marco Materazzi-coached Chennaiyin had almost overturned a three-goal margin in the semi-final second leg against Kerala Blasters last year only to fall short by a single goal. They will very well know that Atletico can do the same to them.
However, Atletico will be cursing the luck with influential midfielder and captain Borja Fernandez set to miss the crucial clash through injury. The Chennai outfit, meanwhile will be boosted by the return of their marquee player Elano and with him Mehrajuddin Wadoo, who were both suspended.
Mendoza Menace
Elano might have been the man to watch out for the 'Super Machans' but a Colombian has grabbed all the headlines for his goal-scoring prowess - his name Stiven Mendoza.
Fast, strong, tricky and an eye for goal few players posses - no wonder Mendoza has slammed 12 goals to top the goal-scoring charts this season.
The Colombian forward wreaked havoc on Kolkata's backline, scoring one and providing an assist, in the first leg and once again will be the biggest threat on Wednesday night.
Mendoza will be licking his lips at the prospect of once again combining with Elano. The Brazilian wizard has time and again found Mendoza at the receiving end of his perfectly-threaded passes and the duo could add to Kolkata's woes.
Atletico's Dangermen
Atletico de Kolkata will be pinning their hopes on Ian Hume. The Canadian striker has been brilliant this season after being asked to don the striker's role due to an injury to Helder Postiga. Hume has scored 10 goals and provided another four and his team will be hoping he comes good at a time when they need him most.
Another big threat for the Chennaiyin defence will be contending with the trickery and pace of Sameehg Doutie. The 26-year-old failed to make a mark in the first leg and was substituted by coach Habas shortly after the hour mark. But the South African has three goals and six assists to his name this season, and his creativity will be vital if Kolkata are to do the impossible.